Cool
Cool
How do we get rid of our collective drunkenness without also being ill-informed?
Can you have fun at a party without alcohol? How to relax without a glass after a difficult day at work? And is a ski holiday without après-ski possible?
Alcohol is a vicious thing that makes your brain constantly crave strength stimuli. Drinking generates two to ten times more of the happiness substance dopamine than ‘regular’ rewards and by messing with that dopamine system for years, your brain will produce less dopamine for a while during a sober period to restore balance. You are less motivated and interested in your surroundings, which generates feelings of dullness and apathy.
You can't quit alcohol without a fight. It's a real lifestyle change. So try to make it as pleasant as possible.
Stop complaining.
It is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think all the time that there is nothing more to it, that an alcohol-free life is a terrible thing, then so it will be. When you complain all the time, you create a nasty experience yourself and try to avoid that as much as possible.
Don't say, " I never drink alcohol again".
The idea of "never doing something again" is already a negative thought anyway and does not help you move forward. Start each day with the intention: "today I do not drink. Then we'll see."Not having the first drink is crucial.
Make a list of things that make you happy.
Is it possible to relax without alcohol after a hard working day? Look for new things to do that make you happy: a walk, hot bath, a coffee with a nice cookie wrapped in a blanket on the couch with a good book.
**Think about the money. **
You keep a pretty penny when you stop drinking, especially when you often drink outside the home. An average Belgian spends 462 euros annually on alcoholic beverages. With that amount you can already book a nice holiday. Even with the time you no longer waste on looking out for a hangover, you can do a lot of fun.
Avoid alcohol-free variants.
By choosing 0.0 beers or mocktails, your brain will look for alcohol but not find it. Result: you are left with a disappointed feeling.
**Shift your focus. **
Does the idea of vacation without drinking make you sad? Remind yourself of all the other reasons why you go on vacation: nature, culture, Sun, No to-do list, hours of reading books, sleeping out,... or do you think going out for dinner without wine but nothing? Then go out at the beginning of the day by having an extensive breakfast in a coffee shop with a good barista.
Be honest with yourself.
Also, dare to think about why you find your life so boring without that artificial dopamine boost. Do you just feel good during a night of drinking? Then maybe it's time to take a closer look at your life. We are all busy, busy, but rarely stand still to think about things. What are your real passions? Where can you lose yourself? What gives you energy? Who do you have authentic conversations with? We only have two lives, the second begins when you realize that you only have one.
Accept the dullness.
Admit to yourself that you feel miserable. That you are lonely when your friends still drink that glass. It's normal. Moreover, dullness is not the enemy, but a part of life. Dullness already means that you have no reasons to worry about other things in life.
**Give it time. **
Your brain needs time to rebalance the dopamine system. Know that this monotonous period is transient. A sober life is not a valley of tears, it's just a way your brain tries to cope with the sudden loss of dopamine.
https://www.knack.be/nieuws/gezondheid/9-tips-voor-een-alcoholvrij-leven-zonder-dat-het-saai-wordt/
How do we get rid of our collective drunkenness without also being ill-informed?
Can you have fun at a party without alcohol? How to relax without a glass after a difficult day at work? And is a ski holiday without après-ski possible?
Alcohol is a vicious thing that makes your brain constantly crave strength stimuli. Drinking generates two to ten times more of the happiness substance dopamine than ‘regular’ rewards and by messing with that dopamine system for years, your brain will produce less dopamine for a while during a sober period to restore balance. You are less motivated and interested in your surroundings, which generates feelings of dullness and apathy.
You can't quit alcohol without a fight. It's a real lifestyle change. So try to make it as pleasant as possible.
**Stop complaining.**
It is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think all the time that there is nothing more to it, that an alcohol-free life is a terrible thing, then so it will be. When you complain all the time, you create a nasty experience yourself and try to avoid that as much as possible.
**Don't say, " I never drink alcohol again".**
The idea of "never doing something again" is already a negative thought anyway and does not help you move forward. Start each day with the intention: "today I do not drink. Then we'll see."Not having the first drink is crucial.
**Make a list of things that make you happy.**
Is it possible to relax without alcohol after a hard working day? Look for new things to do that make you happy: a walk, hot bath, a coffee with a nice cookie wrapped in a blanket on the couch with a good book.
**Think about the money. **
You keep a pretty penny when you stop drinking, especially when you often drink outside the home. An average Belgian spends 462 euros annually on alcoholic beverages. With that amount you can already book a nice holiday. Even with the time you no longer waste on looking out for a hangover, you can do a lot of fun.
**Avoid alcohol-free variants.**
By choosing 0.0 beers or mocktails, your brain will look for alcohol but not find it. Result: you are left with a disappointed feeling.
**Shift your focus. **
Does the idea of vacation without drinking make you sad? Remind yourself of all the other reasons why you go on vacation: nature, culture, Sun, No to-do list, hours of reading books, sleeping out,... or do you think going out for dinner without wine but nothing? Then go out at the beginning of the day by having an extensive breakfast in a coffee shop with a good barista.
**Be honest with yourself.**
Also, dare to think about why you find your life so boring without that artificial dopamine boost. Do you just feel good during a night of drinking? Then maybe it's time to take a closer look at your life. We are all busy, busy, but rarely stand still to think about things. What are your real passions? Where can you lose yourself? What gives you energy? Who do you have authentic conversations with? We only have two lives, the second begins when you realize that you only have one.
**Accept the dullness.**
Admit to yourself that you feel miserable. That you are lonely when your friends still drink that glass. It's normal. Moreover, dullness is not the enemy, but a part of life. Dullness already means that you have no reasons to worry about other things in life.
**Give it time. **
Your brain needs time to rebalance the dopamine system. Know that this monotonous period is transient. A sober life is not a valley of tears, it's just a way your brain tries to cope with the sudden loss of dopamine.
https://www.knack.be/nieuws/gezondheid/9-tips-voor-een-alcoholvrij-leven-zonder-dat-het-saai-wordt/
(post is archived)